The Shipbuilding Industry in BeJfa.st 25 



American liners " Philadelphia " and Netv Yoi'k "), the first 

 twin-screw Atlantic Mail boats. 



So also the ^'Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse" in 1897 marked 

 the opening of first-rate foreign opposition, for Germany held the 

 "blue ribbon " of the Atlantic for seven years. By a coincidence 

 the same craft marks a far more important epoch, for the '^Kaiser 

 Wilhelm der Grosse " was the first vessel to instal wire- 

 less telegraphy. The Belfast built " Victoriayi " marked an 

 epoch when Messrs. Workman & Clark sent out from their 

 yard the first turbine driven Atlantic liner, though strictly 

 speaking the "Turbinia" herself marked the true opening of this 

 epoch of the turbine. 



• The two Canard fliers the " Maiuetania " and " Lusitania " 

 mark an epoch in another way, for when American capital had 

 nearly created a "merger" of the Avhole transatlantic service, 

 the British Government, driven by public opinion, came to the 

 rescue with assistance of various kinds (including cheap money) ; 

 hence those superb twins. Of all the boats which really did 

 make notable epochs in their way, as distinct from merely 

 exceeding a previous boat by a few tons or a few horse power, 

 we can claim about a quarter for the Lagan. 



The progress in size may be realized by noting certain 

 steps on the way, steps which showed advance in other ways 

 than mere size. As we have already seen the first Bibby 

 boats, built in 1860, were 270 feet long: in 1871 was launched 

 the first ''Oceanic," 420 feet between the perpendiculars; 

 and in 1874 the old "'Britannic" of 5,004 tons, the first 

 vessel to reduce the Atlantic passage below 7| days. The 

 ''Teutonic," launched in 1889, was one of the most famous Belfast 

 boats. She was the first liner to be built under a scheme 

 suggested by Mr. Ismay, whereby the Admiralty would have a 

 call upon certain boats to act as armed trans])orts, or unarmoured 

 cruisers. She carried 6 4.7 in. quick firing guns, and created 

 somewhat of an international sensation when she made her first 



